Centauri's Polkowske upholds family heritage

2007 state champ was third brother to win

By Scott Stocker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 28, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.

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Photo by Chris McClean / The Pueblo Chieftain

Centauri's Mitchell Polkowske, top, beats Derrick Cordova of Brush 15-0 during their Class 3A 135-pound semifinal match at the 2007 state tournament. At 47-0, Polkowske was the only undefeated wrestler in 3A last season.

There is no doubt the wrestling bloodline with the Polkowske family runs deep.

Mitchell Polkowske won the Class 3A 135-pound state title at Centauri last season and, with a 47-0 record, was the classification's only undefeated wrestler.

He is the third state champion among four brothers, as Aaron won twice (1993, 1994) and Daniel once (1999). Joel was a runner-up in 2003.

That shouldn't be surprising, considering that their father, LeRoy, was a two-time state runner-up at Chula Vista, Calif.

He also was a member of the 1968 Adams State NAIA national wrestling team champion as a 123-pounder.

Aaron Polkowske is an assistant at Centauri for coach Randy Keys and spends a lot of time working with his younger brother.

"The history of our family helps," said Mitchell Polkowske, who has a 124-21 career record.

"Working with Aaron and Dad is good. I'm almost as big as Aaron and I can hold my own with him - until he gets mad. Then he whups up on me."

No doubt the tutoring helped. With his unbeaten campaign, Mitchell Pol- kowske set the single-season victory record at Centauri and also has broken every takedown record at the school.

He was chosen to wrestle for the prestigious Colorado Junior team that competed in Delaware during the summer and came through with a 7-1 record.

He also won the Southwest regional in freestyle, then finished with a 2-2 record at the national tournament in Fargo, N.D.

"Mitch is a great leader for us, a little soft-spoken, but that's how all the boys in the family have been," Centauri coach Keys said. "He's a good student and we never have to worry about him. He had a pretty sensational season, to say the least."

Centauri was able to fill only eight weights last season, but Keys and the Polkowskes look forward to a solid turnout this time. One reason is that the best freshman class in six years is headed into the practice room, and 18 wrestlers are expected to turn out overall.

In addition to Mitchell Polkowske, state placers Philip Sheridan and Keys' son, Cahlen, return. Sheridan (40-8) placed fourth last season at 119 and finished third as a freshman at 103 in 2005. Cahlen Keys, a sophomore, placed fifth at 112 last season with a 38-10 record.

Mitchell Polkowske, who would like to wrestle at Iowa State, said that besides winning his state title, winning at the University of Northern Colorado Invitational, an all-classification tournament, made for a memorable moment.

"I don't think that Aaron didn't expect me to win," he said. "But he didn't put any pressure on me. The main pressure comes from what I place upon myself.

"But I try not to think about just winning - just (about) doing a good job. When you think about wrestling not to lose, that's when you get into trouble."

And trouble on the mat is what he dishes out to his opponents.

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